How about we get out on the town? Hit the bars. Meet some folks. And most importantly, take a break from the monotonous Georgetown bar scene—do you really want to go someplace where everyone knows your name? Really?
We’ll start off with the familiar—Asylum on the Adams Morgan strip. An AM classic, this supposed “biker bar” is open to anybody who can process its idiot gothic décor. If you’re okay with dragons and leather, you should check out the astonishing Saturday happy hour: Miller High Life drafts start at a quarter at five o’clock and go up 50 cents every hour until 11. Which means you can get tanked for, oh, let’s say five bucks.
Most of you have probably been to the Black Cat, too, but Georgetown students tend to head on down to U St. for a concert and then immediately gun it back to the Hilltop. Instead, pick a night with a crappy band and devote your time to appreciating the Red Room, an eponymous scarlet dive with a standing-room-only bar on show nights and an excellent jukebox. Try the PBR—you’re in hipster territory now.
Columbia Heights is the new U St., or maybe the old Atlas District—well, who can keep track? A relative up and comer in the area (only four years old), the Wonderland Ballroom packs another great jukebox (see a pattern?), a young crowd and great DJ nights, not to mention a great selection of beers including Delirium Tremens, a sweet, creamy Belgian brew that weighs in a bit on the expensive side. Be warned that your mere presence in the neighborhood is gentrification in action, but that’s the price you pay for a good time.
Last but not least, for a kitschy Oktoberfest treat head to Café Mozart, a German deli, bar and restaurant a few blocks from the White House that sports authentic German beer and sausage, among other Teutonic treats. Head there for a Tuesday happy hour with cheap beer and plenty of wurst, as well as an accordion player. While the bar closes early (10 p.m.), at least you’ll get back to campus in time to get plenty of sleep before class the next day. Or you could just go back to the Tombs, you philistine.
Asylum, 2471 18th St. NW.
Black Cat’s Red Room Bar, 1811 14th St. NW.
Wonderland, 1111 Kenyon St NW.
Mozart, 1331 H St. NW.
